Justification of extraperitoneal laparoscopic access for surgery of the upper urinary tract

Laparoscopic surgery was originally developed by gynecologists and general surgeons. Based on their experience, the first successful laparoscopic procedures in urology were performed transperitoneally. However, this novel technique transformed traditionally retroperitoneal procedures into transperitoneal procedures, giving free rein to distinct intraperitoneal complications. Retroperitoneal laparoscopy was a later development in urology. This approach has gained increasing popularity throughout the years and has challenged the transperitoneal laparoscopic route in many aspects. This review focuses on the advantages of retroperitoneal laparoscopic surgery of the upper urinary tract.